 | Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452. |
Nostalgia
2009-10-01 15:50:00
Remember...
Answer: Boy, I sure do…with the fondest of memories. My dad had just bought a ‘48 Hudson Commodore 8. It was Thanksgiving. Do you remember the song, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go? This was all relevant except her house was located on a farm near Anthony. My dad had a huge family, and they all had huge families, and some of their families had families. It always turned out to be an enormous crowd for Thanksgiving dinner. My dad was raised on a farm with the rest of the family. He even owned his own 80 acres near a town in eastern Kansas called Savenberg. His brothers, for the most part, were wheat farmers and were still in the farming business back then.
Before the massive Thanksgiving Day dinner, several events would occur. There would be the annual horse shoe game, participated in by all the brothers and some nephews. Then of course came the big “goings on “ in Grandma’s old kitchen, with all the aunts, many nieces and some older children participating in the putting together of all the many food items that everyone had prepared for the Thanksgiving feast.
Outside one other event had to take place. During the year, most all the brothers had bought new cars. Even though many were the same make with the same equipment, they all had to take a ride in each one to get the “feel” and show off their new vehicle.
Then came the feast. Everyone ate too much turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Each topped off their meal with two or three servings of dessert. Then came the family time for visiting. Old stories about growing up, the one room school house, grandpa’s spanking the various boys, their times of dating and marriage…everyone was brought up to date on what had happened throughout the year on this special day. The kids would perform on their musical instruments, dancing and singing for the family, with everyone joining in. My Grandpa played his fiddle that he learned to play by ear. He played such songs as “Turkey in the Straw,” and other songs of the era.
What a day it always was! Then, the time we all hated to see come, the trip back home to Wichita through dirt roads and the old two lane highway 81, sometimes covered with ice at this time of year.
Oh yes…I remember these special days very well. They were really great times.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone
